was reading on sweclockers (as best i could with google translate) and they have said pretty much the same thing that everyone else has, that the 3930k performs the same as the 3960x, which is leaving everyone scratching their head about the price, this makes me wonder, since the 6 core SB-E CPU's are actually 8 cores with two cores disabled, does the 3960x have the ability for its two extra cores to be enabled sometime down the line? that would certainly justify the price difference between the two

was reading on sweclockers (as best i could with google translate) and they have said pretty much the same thing that everyone else has, that the 3930k performs the same as the 3960x, which is leaving everyone scratching their head about the price, this makes me wonder, since the 6 core SB-E CPU's are actually 8 cores with two cores disabled, does the 3960x have the ability for its two extra cores to be enabled sometime down the line? that would certainly justify the price difference between the two

I actually read in the latest issue of Maximum PC that those two extra cores will never be able to be enabled, so... I don't know what Intel's thinking

@Xuvial:

You'll be happy to know that I found out that the mesh 5.25" guards on my case actually fit with the cage/fan in there I'm also going to be replacing the TY-140s with the stock 200mm white LED fans, because covering the rest of the exposed vents makes a pretty wicked noise. I'll just live with the LEDs. Thinking about getting a white LED Yate Loon fan for the front or rear... anyone have any thoughts on that? They're cheap enough.

Now we're getting somewhere with that microwave of a case
Regarding LED's, don't those 200mm's come with a separate LED pin which you can leave unplugged?

No They're only two-pin fan connectors for being controlled. Sucks, but meh, at least the white looks classy.

Also, what are people's thoughts on the Scythe SY1225SL12M Slip Streams (1200RPM)? Thinking about getting two of those (one for exhaust and one for intake in the front there). Or any other suggestions regarding good CFM, but quiet fans? I'll be putting them on the fan controller, but I still want them to be quiet, even at full burn.

No such thing. That particular fans looks like ~28dba @ 1200rpm which isn't exactly dead silent, but still pretty damn quiet for that speed. I have my 2x200mm, 3x120mm and 1x140mm running off my fan controller using Megaflows and Sickleflows (rated to be fairly quiet) and even dialed all the way down my PC still makes a noticeable hum which I can hear even through headphones (when nothing is playing, but still :P). At max it sounds like some combination of a jet engine and a warp drive.

The only way is to cut down on noise is to cut down on the fans really, which is something I'm really considering. But then I hate to have spent all that money on extra fans in hindsight, y u buy so many fans Xuvial?? For that extra 2-3c less?

No such thing. That particular fans looks like ~28dba @ 1200rpm which isn't exactly dead silent, but still pretty damn quiet for that speed. I have my 2x200mm, 3x120mm and 1x140mm running off my fan controller using Megaflows and Sickleflows (rated to be fairly quiet) and even dialed all the way down my PC still makes a noticeable hum which I can hear even through headphones (when nothing is playing, but still :P). At max it sounds like some combination of a jet engine and a warp drive.

The only way is to cut down on noise is to cut down on the fans really, which is something I'm really considering. But then I hate to have spent all that money on extra fans in hindsight, y u buy so many fans Xuvial?? For that extra 2-3c less?

Truth be told, I wouldn't have them running at the full 1200 RPM unless I'm gaming (I'll have them plugged into the case's fan controller, which is actually pretty nice). Right now, the absolute loudest part of my computer is that reference video card, and it's pretty quiet at idle. Fans CAN be quiet, even at full burn - just look at Noctua and Noiseblocker fans Though, I'm heavily considering those Scythe Slip Streams.

Though, one I cut away the front and top grills, noise will be cut considerably And I know what you mean about all the fans... I have 3 Kaze Maru 2 and two TY-140s lying around, not being used

Oh the I/O plate. It's not 100% needed but it offers shielding from ESD, seals the gap so doesn't doesn't enter and looks tidy.
It looks like you attached the plate to the case fine but the motherboard standoffs aren't allowing the mobo to line up with the plate? It can sometimes take a bit of wriggling, I personally haven't come across mismatches but I've heard it's possible with some cases/motherboards.